Connecticut western news., 1887-12-21
NATIONAL ANTHEMS.
Origin of Some Leading Euro
 pean Compositions.
Story of the String French
 Song, "La MarseiIlaise."

The orlgln ot the British national an them, says an English paper, has proved source of uninterrupted vexation for many years past. There iss almost as much mystery regarding itsas there used to be about the source of the Nile. The common account attributes it to Df. Bull, King James. I.,'s organist, but 1t has also been claimed for Henry Carey, the author of "Sally in Our Alley" Between these two the authorship and composition almost certainly rest, but it has been found impossible to decide dcfi- nitely for tho one or the other. Tho music of "God Save the Queen" is tame and unintcrcsting, but it agrees we'll with the comparatively peaceful, regular course of events which has marked pub- lie affairs in England for over 200 years past.
 Not so is the national anthem of France. There never was moro rous- ing composition th,n "La Marsci,laisc. "The sound of It," says Carlyle, twill make the blood jingle in mems veins and whole armies and assemblagcs will sing it with eyes weeping and burning, with hearts defiant of death and des- pot" It had great share in the first French revolution, for in few months after it2was made known everyone was singing it and the words ''To arms March" were resounding in all parts of France. At every season of disorder since Its strains have excited the pas. sions of the people, and if immortality can be predicted for any tune known to man this is beyond question the one. And yet, as the story goes, both words and music were the prod uction of one night.
 l They were composed in 1792 by a person whom Carlyle calls ''an inspired Tyrten colonsl," Rouget de Llsle, who was still living when Carlyle's 'Frcnch Revolution" was first published. The scene of its birth was Strasburg, and not Marscillaise, but it was force of Mar seillaise which first marched to it, and hence the title.
 Tho Russian national anthem, "God Protect the Czar," was first performed at the Grand theatre, Moscow, in Decem- Der, 1888. Previous to- this there had been no national hymn in Russia and the czars usually contented themselves with our God Save tie King" The composer was Col M. Lwoff, aud in re- turn for the composition the Czar Nicholas presented him with g gold snuff box, set with diamonds. The music IS distinctly national, but the words, as every one knows, are any thing but the actual prayer of the Russian people; "God Save the Czar Mighty autocrat! Reign for our glory, ' etc. It is, properly speaking, an official hymn, and is unknown to the vast ma. jority of Russians.
 The Austrian national anthem is well known in England from its use as a hymn tune. It was composed by Haydn, and performed for the first time at the celebration of the birthday of the Em peror Franz at Vienna in 1797. The lovely air is thoroughly German, and found therefore already acceptance ir the hearts of the people. Haydn him self was very fond of it. He used it ir the variations in one of his quartets, and when he was dying he insisted on being taken from bed to the piano, when h. played the air three times over yer, solemnly in the presence of his weeping servants.
 The Danish national anthem is not un- like the ''Rule Britannia" It was com posed by German named Hartmann about the year TITO. The "Siciliar Mariners Hymn," though it can hardl, be called national anthem, is favor ite air with the gondoliers of Venice